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Chase in Long County leads to arrest

For many, the Memorial Day weekend meant backyard barbecues, trips to the beach and mini vacations. But for the Long County Sheriff’s Department, the holiday turned out to be a night at the races.Long County Sheriff's Department and numerous other agencies were conducting license checks along Highway 301 north Saturday evening when a Kia Spectra failed to stop. According to an incident report filed by Long County Deputy Codie R. Futch, deputies pursued the vehicle that was passing several cars on a curve near Jones Creek Church. After passing the church, the vehicle abruptly decreased in speed and the deputy's patrol car collided with it. The Spectra ended up in the ditch on the right side of the road, but the driver, later identified as John Herman Merritt, ran into nearby woods. He was apprehended by Futch and two other officers, however.Merritt was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police officers, passing on a hillcrest or on a curve, failure to maintain lane, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and DUI-less safe-alcohol. A male passenger in the vehicle was also taken into custody.In an incident report filed the next day, Deputy Mark Hall was advised a man, walking around the area where the apprehension and chase ended, found a small bag containing a white hard substance. Hall met with the man who showed him the bag and pointed out the area where it was found. The deputy noted the location appeared to be next to where Merritt was apprehended the previous night.MACE drug task force agents were notified and the case remains under investigation.